VRHS Wellness Program

2021-2022

The upgrades to the weight room have definitely made for more efficient workouts for myself and my classmates.  Ever since more platforms, equipment and the has been added, we are all able to get our workouts done instead of waiting for equipment and platforms to be open. The turf makes a lot of mobility-focused exercises easier both in a constructive and practical sense because the material is easier to grip; making it easier to move on.  The turf also allow for more space to workout in general, which adds to the previous issue of not being able to workout as a class at once.  I know the additions to the weight room have been an exciting uplifter and motivator for the athletes and students at Vista Ridge!

Student A

The new weight room has allowed more athletes to reach their maximum potential in less time.  Being able to have over twice as many in-floor platforms have allowed all athletes to workout at once.  There is no longer the issue of having to wait for a bar or lack of space needed to lift.  Having the in-floor platforms has also allowed us to add different exercise that are unique to our program and have helped us develop strength in ways the previous weight room didn't.  Having the long strip of turf down the middle has also allowed for this.  It gives us designated areas for lifting which help improve safety and makes the class more specific about what needs to be done and where.  The turf also allows athletes to get the feeling that they are working out outside, which is where most athletes practice and perform.  The new weight room has allowed for weight classes to be safer, and more productive, and overall allow the class to run smoother.  The new weight room has also allowed athletes to get more out of their workouts in less time, allowing faster growth.

Student B

2019-2020

Thanks so much to the Wellness group for the contribution to my Adventure PE class this school year.   With this grant money, we were able to purchase a new Trek mountain bike, pedals, spare tubes, chain lube and basic tools.  This allowed even more of my students to learn the benefits and feel the enjoyment of mountain biking!  Further, some 40 students this year learned the proper way to do basic bike maintenance like lubricating moving parts, and how to change a flat tire (which is the most common reason people stop riding their bikes!). 

The Wellness Group has been so beneficial to Adventure PE over the years and I am so grateful for your support of this unique class!

The funds we received for the Vista Ridge Counseling Program have been a huge benefit to our students. We are utilizing the new books to supplement small group curriculum planning and for individual counseling session needs. The new signage has helped our students, parents, and staff understand our limits of confidentiality. This has strengthened our relationships with our stakeholders and has improved understanding of the school counselor role. Additionally, stress relieving tools have been useful for our students experiencing anxiety. They were especially helpful during a social-emotional crisis where many students utilized our resources

District 49's wellness policy and supporting guidelines focus on improving the health of students. Anyone interested in serving on the districtwide wellness advisory council should email wellness@d49.org for additional information.

A sample of the Curriculum Food Request Form is available here. 

Nutrition for classroom parties, celebrations, rewards & fundraisers:

• All food items must be store-bought with the nutrition information showing that the product is 100 calories or less, 0 grams of trans fat.
• No candy or sodas are allowed.
• Birthday celebrations with treats must follow the  Wellness Policy Guidelines.
• Fresh fruits and vegetables are excluded from calorie and sugar limits.
• Food prepared in a private home may not be served at school to students because knowledge of ingredients, sanitation, preparation, and temperature of food in storage or transit is not available, nor can quality and sanitation standards be controlled.
  
• Fundraiser guidelines may also be found in the Wellness Policy Guidelines.
  

Our commitment to physical activity:

• Physical education is provided in elementary, middle, and high school.
• Strenuous physical activity is not used (e.g. running laps, pushups) as punishment.
• Generally, students should not be required to “sit out” any part of recess as punishment unless there is a safety concern.
• Elementary school students will have a minimum of 30-minutes daily of physical activity. Recess for 1⁄2 day Kindergarten will be determined at those individual buildings. 
  • Physical activity can include recess, physical education classes, fitness breaks, active classroom activities, exercise programs, or active field trips.